The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.
Wine Description
The Story
The name of Pecorino grape variety, also known as “grape of the sheep”, derives from the strong connection between sheep farming and agriculture, and the presence of this grape variety in the areas of shepherds’ transhumance. In the past this grape variety, thanks to its high aromas concentration, its good alcohol content, and even more thanks to its wonderful acidity which is the most distinctive characteristic of Pecorino, was used to improve the quality of wines produced with other varieties. Pecorino growing had almost disappeared because of its very low productivity, and varieties which were quality wise of a lower level, but which had a higher productivity, had been preferred to Pecorino. Our Pecorino Project started in 2005 and represents the new Umani Ronchi front in its discovery and exploitation of Adriatic native varieties, as well as a strengthening of our position in Abruzzi region.
First vintage: 2007
Vineyards: While waiting for our vineyards in Roseto degli Abruzzi to become productive, starting with 2005 we’ve been leading a very careful agronomic supervision in the selection of grapes used for our Pecorino, focusing in particular in the area north of Chieti. Soil is here mainly clay—sandy, deep and rather fresh. The area enjoys a good termal range which grants elegance and complexity of aromas.
The Montipagano estate embraces 27 hectares that have been farmed organically since they were first planted. The location on the slopes of a south-facing hillslope near Roseto degli Abruzzi is close to the picturesque village of Montipagano with views onto the Gran Sasso d'Italia massif.
The principal vine variety is montepulciano, for which two tried and tested training systems have been adopted: low-cordon upwards-trained and spur pruned; and long-pruned overhead trellis.
Harvest: Grapes are hand picked in September, paying the highest care not to lose their acidity content.
Winemaking: After a light pressing, the prime must is rapidly cooled and then goes through static decantation. The alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at a temperature of 16-18°C for about 10/15 days. The wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation. The wine rests in stainless steel tanks for about 4 months, in contact with its own yeasts.
Winemaker's tasting notes: Bright straw yellow colour, it presents intense aromas of fruit and flowers to the nose, with very clear mineral notes, intense and persistent. On the palate it shows a good structure and a pleasant freshness, with ripen fruit and sapid hints.
Serving glass: Goblet of medium size and roughly spherical shape, to allow better appreciation of the complex aromas. A straight opening will enhance the flavour of the wine in the mouth, by directing it first to the sides and rear of the tongue, and then to the tip, and allow its softness to be properly evaluated.
